A difficult decision.

"But.. Dad, how can they do this!"

Chase almost yelled.

The whole Smith family was reunited at the dining hall during dinner time once again. Unlike the last day, Chloe also joined today because it was Mr. Smith's order for everyone to be present at the dinner table. When all of them were present, he said everything in detail.

"I've told you everything. I don't have any problem with this proposal, but it's all about Clara. Before asking her, I couldn't give them a word. Now, it all depends on her."

Everyone was silent, and suddenly Chase reacted.

Mr. Smith was slicing a meat steak with a knife and his hands stopped. He looked at Chase's eyes and said in a calm and collected voice.

"Well, how can they marry their son to a married woman? As Chloe is legally married, they can only marry Carl to Clara if they want him to marry in this house."

"But.. Clara"

"Do you have any other solution?"

Chase stopped. He began to find the answer in his mind and arrange them, then said.

"But, Dad, it's insulting to Chloe!"

"What she did is already a lot more insulting to our family."

He said sternly.

"But instead of this, we can call off the engagement!"

"Call of the engagement! Chase, are you dumb, or your brain isn't working? Have you eyed the stock prices for once? Have you ever noticed how our stock prices are falling in the last week? There is already a steep decline, and if it goes on, don't you know what will happen?"

"...."

"Hah! Chase, Millers are not just our business partner, they are also a large shareholder in our company. If we call off the engagement, Mrs. Miller already told us that they'll cancel any partnership between us. Do you not know what will be the effect on our company? "

"You don't know, you didn't attend the last board meeting. Already, many investors are unsure about their investment; they are pressurizing me to secure the partnership. Otherwise — we'll lose some investors."

"Our recent project is already on hold. If it was not for Mr. Miller's public statement that he's not considering any cancellation of our partnership, we'd already be in serious trouble."

"Chase, Millers are more powerful than us. We cannot afford to offend them."

He looked at Clara.

"Clara, now it all depends on you. If you agree to this proposal, we'll discuss it further and arrange a wedding as soon as possible."

Since he started talking, Clara was listening to him carefully. Suddenly, everyone's eyes fell on her. She looked at Chloe and hesitated for a bit. Then finally,

"I agree, Dad. I don't have any problem."

Chase was surprised, "You're okay with this!"

Clara cast a faint smile on her face.

"Chase, for me our family and business matter the most. And at this point, I can't back off. I agree with whatever Mrs. Miller said. I'll marry Carl."

Mr. Smith's shoulders sagged, relief etched on his face. This decision, though difficult, would ensure their reputation and the partnership remained intact.

"Okay, all settled then. I'll talk to them tomorrow, and try to fix it asap. But..."

He paused.

"As for Chloe, I'll think about where to send her."

Chloe was silent all the time, now she looked up.

"But, Dad, this is definitely not fair. It's okay if they want Clara to marry Carl, but why does Chloe need to leave!"

"Chase! I've already told you everything!"

"But dad.. if it's for her marriage, we'll think of a way!"

"Everything that happened on Chloe's engagement day is already widespread in the city. Moreover, Millers don't want her to stay here. Well, in these circumstances, do you have a way?"

"Dad, we can arrange someone as Brandon Reed's proxy and go ahead with the procedure of divorce. That way, no one will have anything to talk about!"

Mr. Smith looked at his son in utmost surprise.

"Really! Chase! Have you lost your mind? You are telling us to fake her divorce right?"

"Well, dad....

There is no document to identify her husband in the registry office. Besides, it has been six months since they married; people must have forgotten his face, so..."

"And what if one day, that man suddenly appears with his marriage certificate and proves that the divorce was fake! What if he sues us legally for faking the divorce, then? What will you do then? We don't even know who thetactually is, his whereabouts, or what's his motives. How can we...."

"Chase, stop arguing."

Chloe suddenly spoke up.

Chase looked at his side. Chloe looked at him and smiled a little.

"Don't fight with dad. He is right tho. It's my fault; I've got to face the consequences."

She looked at Mr. Smith.

"Dad, I have no problem. Tell me when I have to leave. I'll pack my things up."

"Ahh.. I'm done. I will leave then."

She stood up.

"Good night, everyone."

Without waiting even for a second, she walked away. Chase stared at the door until her figure disappeared.

She quickly left the dining hall and started walking towards her room, because she didn't want to show anyone the tears that accumulated in her eyes.

After locking the door from inside, Chloe sank onto the cold, hardwood floor. The tears that had been held back for a long time with so much difficulty, came out now, and she wept bitterly.

Was her heart broken because Carl would marry her sister instead?

No.

But.. did she feel bad?

Yes, definitely.

From childhood, she created a perfect image of herself for everyone so that no one could look down on her for being adopted; she tried to live up to the expectations of being a Smith.

And she succeeded. Everyone in the city looked at her with eyes of admiration, unknown to her, she even became the idol of many!

But the incident happened recently...

The weight of her mistakes crushed her: the accidental marriage, the recent incidents, and the shattered image she'd worked so hard to build.

Today, she was nothing but... A shame to her family.